SNVD blasts changes in bus serv By Martin Millerchip Contributing Writer miller@nsnews.com CONTROVERSIAL fall changes to the North Vancouver tran- sit schedule came under fire Monday from North Vancouver District Council. Despite a presentation from Bill Lambert and Craig Van Alstyne of BC Transit that attempted to justify recent re- jigging of North Shore bus routes and schedules, council unanimously voted to register its opposition to some of the H more controversial changes m@ with the Vancouver Regional . Transit Commission (VRTC). Lambert and Van Alstyne told council that transit rider- ship continued to grow on the North Shore and that “in past M years we have added approxi- 4 mately. 4% to service in North Vancouver.” But they also said there is no immediate possibility of more buses unless it’s through ‘re-allocation of service. : They said that while some _replacement buses are coming there will be no additional buses until next September. Meanwhile, council has already “heard allegations 8 about a North Vancouver bus fleet that is “pushing the ser- vice envelope.” “Transit union representa- ‘tives Fred Star and Jim 8. Houlihan appeared before council Sept. 22 to express their concerns regarding ser- . Vice reductions. Said Star and Houlihan: “The new schedule calls for an bus service. At present the maximum number of buses “BC Transit, North Van, can “put on the road is 77 to 78, depending on whether we are able to borrow one from “Burnaby Transit Centre.” They said that there are two permanent run cancella- tions daily because of the bus shortfall and additional cancelt- laiions caused by daily mechanical failures of such things as lights, compressors, tires, and wheelchair lifts. : Star and Houlihan also said that the majority of the North : Vancouver bus fleet is likely to g@..reach the 500,000 km major overhaul. point at the same time, and, combined with the existing “overhaul: backlog, m@: could lead to as much as 20% > of the fleet being out of ser- ice Vice at one time. “At present there are 13 buses that are in major bad order and awaiting overhaul. “Further to that there are eight buses on the entical fist that are only usable for short runs because they are so far gone that they cannot be trusted as reliable in regular service.” Lambert and Van Alstyne said all North Van buses on the road pass safery inspec- tions but were unable to tell Coun. Ernie Crist what the ratio between new buses and needed buses would be. They did, however, reveal that the North Vancouver bus garage at St. David's and 3rd Street is “over capacity by 23% at this time.” Council voted to request the VRTC: reinstate the No. 286 UBC service; revise the No. 44 UBC bus service to accommodate SeaBus users; and discontinue local service on Georgia Street provided by buses originating in North as a result of the mishap. Body found at river’s mouth AFUTON BLOWOUT! FACTORY FuTON tnlrance in fear lane | Most cars & pick ups, plus Hon.- Sat. 1t-Gpm Sunday 12-5 pm arn, | 9 COMPARE a sad Le: tetfoae triple feam cere fotea. scetcé-guarded fotos Covet, pious and gillm coves, Wikse quantifies last 267 E. Ist. W.Van 904-4504 PAL aN S sncludes 21 paint safety inspection a flush & Gil Engine coolant * Windshiaid washer fluid « Power LONS Guld « Transmission Suid ¢ Brake fluid iS P "BAU OL BAS Buk 6 s/ 8 ep £ Noo. Paes Esc 1A L.: NEWS photo Pau! McGrath Slippery when wet RECENT heavy rains made driving risky as illustrated by the driver of this car which hit a wal! on Saturday on the Upper Levels Highway near the Westview interchange. Traffic was backed up in the eastbound lanes North BOS “SPECIAL «© H THE body of a 27-year-old Kamloops man was recovered on Saturday at the mouth of the Seymour River near the Second Narrows Bridge. Vancouver RCMP Const. HSS Sone E King Alfred Daffodils Snow Crocus Early Flowering 100 for CULTIVATE YOUR SAVINGS All Perennial Plants Nursery Stock 3 “OL L ACN D % to 50% off Winter Pansies Tom Seaman said the man’s death was a possible suicide and foul play was nct suspected. The Coast Guard and Vancouver City Police helped recover the body. BULBS) SPE GULAL WEE K. ATURE S 1 00 for $4 739 $8 99 Yow to a dS] YO He “ON WIT Ss a€1n.e 30% off Pvt osya s Specially grown in large 8 hlooming plants just $3: 99 fibre packs. Solid colours for an outstandng display. Cally, Selection g ' Yectce Oren nu Monday to Saturday WEST: VAN-FLORIST 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday to 7:00 pm -& GARDEN CENTRE 1821 Marine Drive, West Vancouver ¢ Tel: 922-4171 + 922-3968 Fax: 922-9735 SPECIAL 3 packs for $939 voy 30H aN 1998 SUZUKI ESTEEM WAGON At last - a truly affordable family wagon. Nicely appointed & offered at ait amazingly low v Introductory price. ‘Nort Vancouver Suzuki 95088 “1695 Maritte Drive. North Vancouver .Vviio a-d-s/'S ata a i. HOULASNO BULL 87S SS -PLEC LAL HOLLAND BULBS